I once knew a leader who had a knack for making numbers feel real. He didn’t just talk about waste; he made people hear it—literally.
One day, he set out to help his team understand the true cost of scrap. He did the math and discovered that every piece of scrap on their production line was worth one dollar. Rather than giving a dry lecture or handing out a spreadsheet, he decided to make a little noise.
Armed with a metal garbage can and a hefty supply of one-dollar coins, he positioned himself at the end of the production line. Every time a defective part came through—CLANG!—he tossed a coin into the can. The factory floor echoed with every mistake. At first, the team chuckled, but as the metallic racket continued, their amusement turned into concern. They had a productivity bonus on the line, and with each thunderous drop, they could practically hear their earnings slipping away.
It didn’t take long before the team started paying closer attention. Conversations sparked. Adjustments were made. Scrap rates plummeted. Before the end of the shift, the garbage can was barely making a sound.
That leader didn’t just teach them about waste—he let them experience it in a way they’d never forget. Sometimes, the best lessons aren’t in the numbers but in the impact those numbers create when they come to life.